After 11 years as Provost of the University of Memphis, Ralph Faudree has decided to resign from his position.
His resignation will take effect Friday. Tom Nenon, associate vice president for assessment, institutional research and reporting, will take over as interim provost beginning September 1.
After taking a one-year sabbatical - conducting research and applying for grants for graduate student travel and projects- Faudree will return to the U of M to continue teaching. He teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate math courses.
"I've been thinking about this for two or three years," Faudree said of his resignation. "My first love and why I got into the university life was to be a professor, teacher and researcher. I kind of just backed into doing administration."
Faudree's time at the U of M dates back 28 years. In that time he has served as interim president of the University, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Chair of the Department of Mathematics.
A first-generation college student, Faudree said what he most enjoyed about his provost role at the U of M was witnessing the growth of students.
"My parents had eighth grade educations. Education opened so many doors for me. I certainly enjoy seeing those doors open for other people," he said.
Since he has been provost, both retention and graduation rates have gone up. He said the University has recruited better students, but has also implemented initiatives that have helped students complete their degree.
"To me, that's very rewarding," he said.
A perfect candidate for the permanent position would be someone who has been active in teaching, research and has experience being a chair or dean, Faudree said.
U of M President Shirley Raines said there will be a nationwide search for a new provost. Though many of the University's deans and associate vice provost are qualified to move up into the position, none have expressed interest in doing so permanently, Raines said.
She has not appointed a search committee for finding a new provost yet.
"Students, faculty, alumni and other administrators will be represented in the national search process and will participate in the interviews for the permanent provost," Raines said.
Nenon will serve as interim provost until a candidate is selected to take over the full position. Interim spots are typically held for a year.
He said he has five goals to work towards: student success in retention and graduation rates, restoring the University's research status by hiring targeted faculty in key areas, continue the initiative of keeping the newly acquired Lambuth campus on track and successful, and continuing the search for deans of the school of law and school of engineering.
"I've been very honored to accept this position and I'll do the best to help the University in it's next stride," Nenon said.
Faudree said he, too, is excited to see where the University will go from here and is happy to continue to be a part of it after his one-year leave.
"For those people that know me well, know that I like the professorial side of thing," he said. n
